nd genuine fear encompasses even the audience.As each scene of The Passion of Joan of Arc is played out, there is a reality of what really happened that is portrayed by a great actress who performed only in this film. Renee Falconetti’s performance is considered to be one of the finest and most important performances ever in film. The artistry also is the responsibility of the director’s vision, and in reading the original film screenplay, it is obvious that Dreyer was very specific and knowledgeable about the emotional mood he was trying to create. While watching the film, it is sometimes difficult to notice specific technical elements because the visual content is so encompassing. However, each scene can be viewed on its own in addition to its influence on the whole.The opening of the film serves to set up the history behind the story. The original trial transcript was used in recreating the events for the film. Then, it begins; the opening scene is a perfect example of the use of irregular camera angles and the position of objects in the shot. The camera pans across the rear of a large room. The view is odd from the start since the backs of the judge’s heads are all that is seen. Across the room there are guards, but the center of the shot seems placed on their torsos. Those same guards are later viewed by only their helmets and spears as they leave the room. Our first view of Joan is from above, her figure is placed only in the bottom third of the shot. She appears very small an oppressed. The judges are looming over her from their platform. Joan’s face remains static and full of emotion from every angle.Once Joan is condemned to prison, the action goes in two directions. Shots of Joan interacting with a cross created by the light of her window in her cell are inter-cut with shots of the judges plotting to deceive her. The same cross is also used as a sign of the truth when Loiseleur enters th...
